Позитивные изменения. Том 3, № 4 (2023). Positive changes. Volume 3, Issue 4(2023) - Редакция журнала «Позитивные изменения»

“Visualizing the upcoming awards ceremony, our team we realized that the event itself had to be a catalyst of positive changes. If we were to simply seat the experts in a row and request their insights, it would be yet another high-level professional discussion. That’s why we opted for a format in which every one of our guests could serve as a conduit for positive change, initiating revelations and insights. This format made sure these two hours would be an extraordinary experience for everyone present, inspiring and evoking admiration for the seamless and organic interaction among people when they realize that, just like life itself, theater is a reflection of ourselves,” says Natalia Gladkikh, Editor-in-Chief of Positive Changes Journal.

The theme of impact even extended to the refreshments provided for the ceremony’s attendees. One of the partners of the Awards is “Different Grains” (“Raznye Zerna”), Moscow’s first inclusive café, where adults with ASD work alongside professional chefs, baristas, couriers and waiters. On December 30, 2023, the café celebrated its one-year anniversary, with the Positive Changes Journal Award being its first venture into catering. This collaboration could pave the way for exciting developments for Different Beans in 2024.

What unites the guests and award winners is a shared commitment to making a positive contribution to society. Each individual aspires to create sustainable models for bringing about positive change while striking a balance between their mission and financial viability. Hence, the award’s statuette carries deep symbolism: a surfer gracefully riding the waves on a board bearing the word “Impact.” This image, which first graced the cover of Issue 3 in 2022, quickly captured the hearts of readers and the editorial team, eventually finding its place in the publication’s merchandise. However, the essence of evaluation lies in its tools. For those immersed in the world of impact, the ability to measure their influence holds special importance in a world where rapid change has become the norm. In the 2023 statuette, a hygrometer was introduced as a symbol of measurement, adding both meaning and practicality by allowing for the monitoring of an essential parameter: the humidity level in the air.

So, without further ado, let’s meet those who have fascinated our editorial team in terms of impact evaluation and are rightfully honored as the recipients of the 2023 awards!

“DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AS AN INSTITUTION” CATEGORY

In this category, the editorial team of the journal has recognized Zerno Ventures, a venture capital fund, and the Donors Forum Association of Grant-Making Organizations.

Zerno Ventures was awarded the statuette for their groundbreaking research on impact investing in Russia and the development of a methodology for evaluating impact startups.[48] This marks a significant milestone for this young and ambitious fund, which focuses its investments on projects with a notable social or environmental impact.

“We have pioneered the development of an impact investing evaluation methodology in Russia, setting a precedent in this field. It is truly remarkable that we were able to engage experts and the broader community in the collaborative creation of this methodology. Subsequently, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the venture capital landscape in Russia based on our methodology. Our findings reveal a growing market with impact-driven projects thriving amidst the current dynamics. We earnestly hope that our research will serve as an inspiration for the emergence of new impact projects, encourage businesses to assess their societal contributions, and promote the scaling of initiatives fostering positive change in our nation,” said Maria Gerasimova, Investment Director of Zerno Ventures.

The Donors Forum Association of Grant-Making Organizations has also been honored with an award for their pivotal role in formulating and implementing reporting standards as part of the All-Russian competition of annual reports for NGOs, known as “Point of Reference” (“Tochka Otscheta”).[49]

“Credit is due to all who have played the roles of co-creators, co-organizers, partners, and experts throughout the history of the Point of Reference project. The culmination of our collaborative endeavors has given rise to a set of metrological standards that presently serve as a benchmark and a guide for NGOs as they prepare their annual reports,” notes Alexandra Boldyreva, Executive Director of the Donors Forum Association of Grant-Making Organizations.

The Donors Forum is actively involved in various educational programs and webinars aimed at explaining the significance of crafting annual reports for both external communication and internal reflection within organizations. Through the Point of Reference initiative, they have witnessed that their work and the broader sector’s endeavors are yielding tangible results.

“The quality of annual reports is steadily on the rise, as evidenced by the growing percentage of organizations receiving gold and silver reporting standards. Regional competitions are also on the rise, increasingly adopting the recommendations and competition guidelines provided by our project. This convergence of the information landscape encompasses diverse categories of non-profit organizations, spanning from small to large entities, metropolitan to regional NGOs, signifying a pivotal advancement for the overall development of philanthropy in Russia,” explains Alexandra Boldyreva.

The Donors Forum aspires to leverage the Positive Changes Award as a catalyst, inspiring non-profit organizations participating in the 2024 Point of Reference program to more enthusiastically integrate monitoring and evaluation tools into their project activities. “Particularly for small NGOs in regional areas, it is paramount to recognize that their initial steps toward MEL (Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning) will be acknowledged and supported. On our part, we are committed to ensuring that the application of assessment tools during the annual reflection process for NGOs participating in the Point of Reference program is as comprehensible and accessible as possible,” concluded the Association.

“DEVELOPMENT OF IMPACT ASSESSMENT IN THE PRACTICE OF SOCIALLY ORIENTED PROJECTS” CATEGORY

In this category, three distinguished recipients share the honor of the award: Reach for Change Foundation, PROOcenku Club, and Siberian Center Holding.

Reach for Change Foundation is commended